Comfort Cotton

There are many controversial debates regarding babies, and one of the most controversial is whether parents should use cloth or disposable diapers. Generally, there is no right or wrong – parents should choose the option that they believe is right and that is in line with their beliefs. Parents who want to keep disposable diapers out of landfills and who want to put only organic materials against their baby’s sensitive skin will likely use organic cloth diapers. In conjunction with other eco-friendly practices, using cloth diapers lessens baby’s impact on the planet.

One argument against organic cloth diapers is that they require more water to wash throughout the baby’s diaper-wearing years. It is estimated that washing clothe diapers at home uses 50 to 70 gallons of water every three days, which is roughly equivalent to five toilet flushes, unless a high-efficiency washing machine is used. It’s a good idea to use a high-efficiency washer, in addition to the fact that it will save money on your water bill.  Other things you can do to minimize the environmental impact of cloth diapers include: line-drying diapers outside (the sunlight also helps kill bacteria); tumble drying as little as possible; not washing above 60 degrees Celsius; washing only full loads; and reusing clean diapers for subsequent children.